Classical Highlights for May 2024The releases that most impressed our reviewers this month cover the gamut of genres, highlighted by an all-star cast on a live recording from the debut run of the opera The Hours, based on the novel and film of the same name, composed by Kevin Puts (pictured). So much good music, so many good performances.

It's Here! Product Profile with Arturia AstrolabArturia just announced the release of AstroLab, their first-ever Stage Keyboard.  MC recently had the opportunity to talk with Pierre Pfister, project manager for Arturia, to get his insights about the AstroLab project.

Music Connection: Tell me about yourself. What do you do for Arturia? 

Pierre Pfister: I am a product manager. The role of the product manager at Arturia is to develop the idea of a product that we are going to start working on by interviewing users, making sure we identify features of a potential product that is solving people’s needs or people’s problems. Next, we figure out how we can address this problem and then we start to develop the concept for the product ultimately following through on the development from beginning to end, as well as come up with the marketing plan to promote it once the product has been launched. I have been working at Arturia for a while now, mostly on software products, but I have also worked on all the keylab products, our range of MIDI controllers. Right now, I am working mostly on Astrolab, which is a true milestone product for Arturia.

MC: I know this is Arturia’s 25th anniversary. Do you have any thoughts about that? 

PP: I am quite amazed by the progress and how far Arturia as a company has come because when I arrived 10 years ago at Arturia, we were a team of maybe 20 or 25 people. Back then, nobody knew about Arturia like they do now. Every time I was talking with some musicians, most of them did not know who the company was. Now, every time I meet people, and I tell them I am from Arturia, everybody knows about Arturia, which feels great.

These days, when we go into the field trying to meet users, we feel like everyone is using our products. Our AnalogLab and the V Collection are definitely some of the most frequently used pieces of software in the industry. In general, everybody that is making music nowadays uses at least some of our products. 

MC: What exactly is AstroLab? 

PP: AstroLab is Arturia’s stage keyboard. It’s an innovative and quite groundbreaking stage keyboard because it doesn’t rely on samples, unlike most of the stage keyboards on the market, AstroLab uses all the emulations that we’ve worked on for the past 20 years, making it possible to have more than 30 instruments, this includes everything from pianos, to expertly sampled analog synthesizers all in a single keyboard. With AstroLab you have an amazing amount of power and a huge range of high quality of sounds to work with. 

MC: How is AstroLab different from your other keyboard controllers that Arturia has released in the past? 

PP: AstroLab is not a controller. The thing to keep in mind is that it is producing its own sounds, which is what makes it so powerful. You have all the sounds built into AstroLab, so you can go on stage without the need for a computer, which is something that is new for Arturia. That said, AstroLab also works great as a MIDI controller because it is designed to be fully integrated with AnalogLab whenever you are working on your computer. AstroLab is designed to be used in the studio as much as using it on stage.

MC: Can you tell me about the core set of sounds that is included with AstroLab? 

PP: AstroLab has more than 1,300 premium grade sounds built into the keyboard. The sounds range from bread and butter sounds to classic emulations of vintage synthesizers. AstroLab delivers all the classic keyboard sounds that you will need when you are playing live on stage. Pianos, e-pianos, organs and more are all there as well as more classic synth patches and a full range of iconic Pads. We also have a lot of tribute sounds built into AstroLab from famous artists and keyboard players. This is great for all those musicians out there that are going to play in tribute bands or even people that have listened to all the classic keyboard sounds and they want to access them for their own music. 

MC: I understand that AstroLab has full integration with AnalogLab and that AstroLab comes with 22 gigabytes of user onboard storage, to load your own sounds. 

PP: Correct, you have 22 gigabytes of user storage available in AstroLab. Most of the sounds we have are presets which in terms of memory are very small, just a couple of megabytes for each of the presets. This means you can have thousands of presets on the unit with room to spare.  Where you are going to have to be careful is when you start to use sample-based sounds which will take up a lot more memory. But for now, most of the synthesizers and pianos that we have are physical or circuit modeling. Also, we will be adding increasingly sample-based products soon after Astrolab is released. We have the augmented strings and augmented pianos, augmented woodwinds libraries planned to be integrated into Astrolab in future firmware updates. 

It is super easy to customize your own sounds on AstroLab and create layers and splits and things like that. On Astrolab, it is easy to quick edits and adjust typical when you are rehearsing or jamming with your friends.

MC: Can you tell me a little bit about AstroLabs’ DAW integration? For example, I use Pro Tools. Are you able to set it up as a MIDI controller? 

PP: Yes AstroLab is going to work for most applications as a MIDI keyboard. You can send MIDI control changes with the eight knobs on the front of the keyboard and you can assign those CCs to some of the typical DAW parameters if you want. AstroLab is designed to be integrated seamlessly with AnalogLab our flagship sample based software instrument. 

MC: Let us go back and talk about the user interface of AstroLab. I see that all the controls are streamlined for live performances, you can load like songs and set lists and things like that. Can you elaborate on that? 

PP: Setting performance playlists in AstroLab is super easy. Your playlists are going to be a list of songs and for each song, you can have up to ten presets that are directly accessible on the front of the keyboard. The preset buttons just above the keyboard that you can click to load any of the ten presets of each song. You can have as many songs as you want and for each song, you have 10 presets. So, it is quick to go from one song to another and in each song to use up to 10 presets very quickly, to switch between the 10 presets very quickly. 

MC: At launch, you are going to have a 61 version, key version of Astrolab. Are there 49 and 88 versions of Astrolab planned also? 

PP: We are working on the other versions. I do not have info I can really share about when they would come out.

You can find out more about AstroLab, AnalogLab and other Arturia productsat arturia.com.The post It's Here! Product Profile with Arturia Astrolab first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Hipgnosis Songs Fund’s catalog turned out to be worth more than a lot of people thought.In light of Blackstone's latest bid, MBW crunches the numbers on what HSF spent on assets... and what they're worth now
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Chris Taylor resigns as CEO of MNRK Music Group; Sean Stevenson to lead companyStevenson to lead the company as of July 1, 2024
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5 great promotion ideas for after the music is releasedUnlock the full potential of a music release with these five expert strategies designed to keep your audience engaged and attract new fans even after the music has been released.....
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How to get your music on Spotify playlists: Step-by-Step GuideLearn how to get your music featured on Spotify playlists with this comprehensive guide. Unlock key strategies and tips to boost your streaming numbers and dramatically grow your fanbase.....
The post How to get your music on Spotify playlists: Step-by-Step Guide appeared first on Hypebot.

Top recommendations from the first queer Music AgencyCelebrate Pride Month with a curated playlist from the trailblazing queer music agency that's changing the industry for the better. Discover a diverse selection of tracks that celebrate and uplift LGBTQ+ voices.....
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Songwriter Profile with the Amazing Peter RaffoulPeter Raffoul’s destiny was almost inevitable, but he took his time deciding to pursue music professionally. With father Jody Raffoul and older brother Billy both well-established musicians, Raffoul loved the idea of performing but wanted to be certain it was what he wanted before jumping in. Growing up around great songwriters, with evidence of success watching his dad and brother in the business, Raffoul says he feels very fortunate to have had a great roadmap and solid support.

First dabbling with drums at age 11, Raffoul’s parents split when he was a teenager and he inherited a garden shed (originally an art studio), where he first began playing the keyboard. Creating licks and melody lines, he admits, “I never knew less than I did then. I was just playing little chords and had no idea what I wanted anything to sound like.”

Writing his music at night also started as a teen. “I think it's harder to ignore whatever it is that you're going through at night. I got into this rhythm where it feels better to go on spurts of inspiration.” Starting with basic piano lessons to learn some chords, he added guitar over the last five years (which he plays upside down as a leftie, insisting on playing a right-handed guitar like older brother Billy).

In retrospect, Raffoul recognizes that he had always been paying attention and was intrigued in the evolution of songs and artists. Taking time to study songwriting structure, Raffoul remains mindful of the creative process, sharing that when you hear a great song that you wish you had written, it often comes down to a simple concept or just two chords. “They sang it just like it was, and it's heart,” he says. “Self-expression in a very simple way usually wins the day.”

While he starts with the melody and chord structure, his writing process is constantly changing. “There’s peaks and valleys when things feel like they're being forced, but I've gotten a lot out of just doing it as I feel it,” admits Raffoul. He recommends recording ideas as memos on your phone. Starting with a small melody or lick, Raffoul sings nonsense sounds over chords to see what lands.

“When I’m humming a melody long enough, or wake up the next day and still remember it, that's cool. I don’t get precious about things. If you latch on to every single thing, you'll beat it into the ground and feel less enthusiastic because you put too much value on something too soon.” Great music happens for Raffoul when he finds himself hearing a song as a listener, not a critic or musician, being captivated by the feeling throughout, rather than pulled into the song’s process or structure.

Starting out playing three 40-minute sets of covers a night before adding in originals, Raffoul says that his momentum to date has come down to the very blue-collar ‘you get out of what you put into it’ attitude handed down from his dad. “

Every day, week, and month, rent's due on this stuff,” he says. “You have to be doing the work. If you don't love it at face value, don't still feel like you're enjoying it when playing, you have to get back to that. That's the only real center of it. Everything else is borrowed, not guaranteed.” Even if you get signed to a label, Raffoul says not to expect to be taken care of, or buy into false confidence: “It all comes from you.”

Surprised at the catharsis and intrigue that his more intimate, emotional songs have garnered (“Don’t Hold On” and “For You”), Raffoul says, “I get to be myself at such a raw level and get to share, unfiltered. The worst thing that can happen is people won't listen, but the best is you can make somebody feel like you're with them when you play.”

2022’s Songs From House In Blue has a follow-up in the works, slated for release later this year. Catch Peter Raffoul at his CMW show, June 4 at Rivoli. Tickets at ticketweb.ca.

Contact Valle Music Management, andrew@vallemusicmgmt.com; 

Experience Peter Raffoul at peterraffoul.comThe post Songwriter Profile with the Amazing Peter Raffoul first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Getting It Done: Last Week in D.I.Y. & Indie MusicThis week, our tips and advice for independent, do-it-yourselfers covered how to book bigger and better gigs, crucial Spotify stats, and more.....
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REWIND: The new music industry’s last week in reviewIt was a busy week by any definition, and the music industry was no exception. Live Nation filed a class action lawsuit, Ticketmaster was hacked, and more.
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Signing Story with the Amazing Logan LynnDate Signed: August 18, 2021

Label: Kill Rock Stars

Type of Music: Indie punk

Legal: Kill Rock Stars LLC

Publicity: Sarah Avrin of Charm School Media - sarah.avrin@charmschoolmedia.com

Web: loganlynnmusic.com 

A&R: Slim Moon

Why on earth would Logan Lynn, a newcomer who developed a strong buzz in artist-friendly Portland — home to the Decemberists, Chromatics and loads more bands — relocate to Boise, where Built to Spill is the only group to have achieved at least some national recognition? The answer may surprise you, because it wasn’t just for a paycheck.

Lynn, a self-described “Queer indie punk,” noted the cost of living is cheaper in Boise and that competition for time slots in a city oversaturated with aspiring artists isn’t as fierce.

“I wanted to get away from the loudness and the wildness,” said Lynn, a 40-something artist who already has 10 studio records to his name. “I [may have] overcorrected, but… the music scene here is really hungry [for new talent], and there’s a strong youth culture too.”

Lynn added that his affection for Treefort Music Fest, Idaho’s hippest annual music festival, also caught his fancy. As it so happens, KRS has a ubiquitous presence at the five-day event every year.

Of all the factors that went into Lynn’s decision-making when looking for a new label, finding one with a long track record of supporting gay artists was of the utmost importance.

After the multifaceted Lynn directed and released a 2018 movie called Nothing’s Ever Wrong, he became a target of homophobic harassment. Even though it was only a short film, Lynn and co-star Jay Mohr appearing nude in Nothing’s Ever Wrong, spurred him to fight even harder for gay rights.

Lynn doesn’t know of any label that champions gay artists more than KRS. He’s not sure when he’ll release his first release for the label and the follow-up to 2022’s New Money. In fact, it’s not his top priority, as he continues to get settled in to a new city and record label.

“The people who founded [KRS] are queer, but to become an explicitly gay label… and to have a team that believes in me and actually tries to help [its roster of musicians] is radical. Joining Kill Rock Stars absolutely changed my life.” The post Signing Story with the Amazing Logan Lynn first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

Close Up with the Northern Illinois School of Musicniu.edu/music

Sense of Community and Stylistic Diversity: In his introductory letter to students on the home page of Northern Illinois School of Music, Director Andrew Glendening captures the spirit and mission of the multi-faceted educational experience and its many programs. He writes, “NIU is a vibrant music scene where you can expand your skills, explore your creativity and pursue your dreams in a supportive environment with unprecedented access to an outstanding faculty.”

One of those faculty members, Kerri-Ann Chandler, is a Trinidad and Tobago-born musician and instructor who came to NIU after eight years teaching at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. She says, “What makes our School of Music special is its unique sense of community and its stylistic diversity and array of world music courses and ensembles, which allow students to learn music from many countries and cultures and to learn the history and play ethnic instruments from around the world.” 

Programs and Ensembles: NIU School of Music undergrads can study performance, jazz studies, steelpan, music education and composition. Graduate students can earn a master’s degree in performance or pursue an individualized Master of Music degree in composition, recording arts, conducting, world music or other emphases.

NIU also offers many opportunities to perform and grow on stage with their award-winning instrumental and vocal ensembles, which include choirs, orchestra, opera, theater, wind ensembles, marching band, jazz ensembles, steel bands, new music ensemble, percussion ensemble, Javanese and Balinese gamelans, tabla, Chinese and Middle Eastern ensembles and various chamber music ensembles.

Recording Arts and Media Technologies: This area of study is designed for the modern engineer and musician, and combines audio video and computer technologies. Students will gain knowledge and experience in such disciplines as studio and location recording techniques, audio post-production for video, acoustics and studio design and webcasting, robotic camera operation using Internet2 technology, live sound and event logistics and lighting and rigging for the performing arts.

Elective courses include recording techniques, applied mixing, audio editing, air training for audio engineers and sound design. NIU recently became one of three Avid Learning Partners in the state of Illinois. Music Admissions Coordinator Austyn Menk says, “Students participating in the recording arts get to run live sound for our many ensembles, giving them highly valuable and applicable experience.”   

Flock Audio: As part of an ongoing effort to upgrade the school’s recording facilities to serve collaborations between audio engineering students and musical students, NIU has made the Flock Audio PATCH XT digitally controlled, all analog patchbay the centerpiece of its hybrid recording setup. Chandler says, “Compared to the outdated equipment installed previously, this makes signal flow in the studio more streamlined. Besides being visually appealing and fully customizable, it’s very compact, fitting on a tabletop—and because it’s digitally controlled, there are always opportunities for app updates.”

Contact NIU School of Music, 815-753-1551The post Close Up with the Northern Illinois School of Music first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

From Sony Music’s reported Queen catalog talks to Live Nation’s DoJ battle… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-UpThe five biggest stories to hit our headlines over the past seven days…
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How much would gigs pay if adjusted for inflation?Discover how inflation impacts musician earnings and expenses and what today's gigs would pay if they adjusted alongside the rest of the economy....
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